ARBC announces major flood projects

At its monthly meeting yesterday, the Amite River Basin Commission (ARBC) reported progress on major flood risk reduction efforts and announced new steps to strengthen preparedness across the Amite River Basin. The Commission highlighted updates on the Bayou Manchac and Ward Creek Realignment Project and the Upper Amite River Restoration Project, proclaimed March 2026 as “Flood Awareness Month,” and previewed additional actions it expects […]

Unanimous Planning vote denies Harvest Fields subdivision

Dantin Bruce Development’s Ross Bruce proudly proclaimed that his firm has built over 1,000 homesites in Ascension Parish over the years, hoping to add another 115 to the total at Wednesday’s meeting of the Planning Commission.  It was not to be as five commissioners, with two abstentions, voted to reject Harvest Fields subdivision preliminary plat, oblivious to […]

3-2 vote approves baseball agreement between Gonzales and Ascension Parish

In late 2024 Gonzales’ interim mayor, Ryland Percy, inked an agreement with Impact Sports (which operates AP Baseball), as did Ascension Parish President Clint Cointment in anticipation of the 2025 season.  Ascension’s Parish Council approved a new agreement with AP Baseball in October, commencing negotiations with the city in lieu of Gonzales doing another deal […]

Same three Council members reject agreement for baseball in Gonzales

Three Gonzales City Council members rejected an agreement with Ascension Parish to clear the way for AP Baseball and Gonzales’ Diamond Youth leagues to play ball this year.  It was the third time this council considered the agreement after deferring consideration on December 8 and rejecting the agreement on January 12.  Mayor Tim Riley placed […]

Letter supports independent pharmacies

Dear Editor, Independent pharmacies are a lifeline for many Louisiana families, especially in the rural parts of our state. But lately, these pharmacies are being pushed to the edge by abusive practices from pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). These middlemen decide reimbursement rates and control who gets included in pharmacy networks, and they’ve made it almost […]

Parish Councilman sued by spouse of Parish President’s staff member

Ascension Parish Councilman Joel Robert was sued yesterday, the Petition for Damages alleging that Robert made “false, scandalous and defamatory” allegations about the petitioner, Gerald Phillips, Jr.  Petitioner is the spouse of Ruth Phillips who happens to be one of Parish President Clint Cointment’s top aides.  The suit stems from a social media back and […]

New River pumps, Manchac improvements among ARBC’s funded projects

In a report tonight to the St. Helena Parish Police Jury, a representative of the Amite River Basin Commission (ARBC) highlighted efforts with Congresswoman Julia Letlow to restore areas of the Amite River that will reduce flood risk and improve quality of life. The report also detailed ARBC’s “year of firsts.” ARBC Executive Director Paul Sawyer reported on $2,000,000 secured by Congresswoman Julia Letlow […]

Parish Council approves revisions to Development (Drainage) Code

A decade ago, Ascension’s Parish Council began considering wide-ranging changes to the Development Code related to drainage, among them limiting the amount of fill material employed to elevate structures.  Gaining momentum after the disastrous Flood of 2016, the governing authority imposed more severe limitations which have resulted in certain “unintended consequences” impacting small lot owners.  […]

Licensing Board for Contractors dings Liberty Fence on six charges

Liberty Fence owner, James Saizan, appeared before Louisiana’s Licensing Board for Contractors (the Board) last week, unsuccessfully defending charges that he violated Revised Statute 37:2158 six times while performing various work for the City of Gonzales in 2024.  The statute requires a contractor to possess a valid license to perform certain types of work when […]

Bayou Manchac Flood Mitigation sees $30 million in state funding

A major milestone has unlocked $30 million in state funding for the regional Bayou Manchac flood mitigation project — a partnership between Ascension, Iberville, East Baton Rouge, and the City of St. George. A new Hydrology & Hydraulics (H&H) study shows the project will lower flood levels by approximately 2.5 inches, helping move more water […]